This week, Apple faced another regulatory setback in Europe. A Rotterdam court has upheld a 2021 ruling from the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) that confirmed the company misused its dominant position within the App Store, particularly regarding dating apps.
The case highlights Apple’s long-standing requirement that app developers utilize its in-app payment system (IAP) for digital transactions, leaving no option for directing users to alternative payment methods. According to the ACM and the court, Apple’s anti-steering rules and commission structure established “unfair conditions” for developers of dating apps in the Dutch market.
The recent ruling maintains Apple’s €50 million fine (approximately $54 million), a penalty enforced after the company did not fully comply with the ACM’s directives in 2022, following the regulator’s initial order for changes.
In a statement provided to Reuters (via Macrumors), Apple announced plans to challenge the decision:
“This ruling undermines the technology and tools we’ve created to benefit developers and protect users’ privacy and security, and we plan to appeal.”
Wider App Store Challenges Persist Globally
Although this specific ruling pertains to dating apps in the Netherlands, it emerges during a broader reassessment of Apple’s App Store operations across Europe and globally.
With the Digital Markets Act (DMA) taking effect earlier this year, Apple is already obligated to ease some of its established App Store restrictions throughout the EU.
Additionally, in nations such as Japan, Brazil, and the United Kingdom, Apple is under investigation and facing similar regulatory scrutiny concerning app distribution and payment policies.
For developers outside the dating app segment, today’s ruling does not necessitate immediate adjustments. However, it adds significant legal weight to the ongoing discourse about Apple’s control over App Store payments, both in Europe and other regions.
